In a solemn and symbolic atmosphere, the Diourbel General Education High School (LEG) hosted the official launch of the Senegalese Police Education (EDUPOLSEN) program this morning. This initiative, led by the National Police in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, aims to redefine the relationship between law enforcement and school-aged youth.

A gathering of authorities around the youth

The ceremony took place in the presence of a distinguished gathering of civil, military, and security officials. Among those present were the governor of Diourbel, the prefect of the department, the representative of the president of the departmental council, the representative of the mayor, and the academic inspector Aboubakry Sadikh Niang.

On the security forces side, the ceremony brought together Chief Commissioner El Hadji Aly Guèye, head of the Mbacké urban police station, Commissioner Abdoulaye Ka, commander of the Operational Group of the Mobile Intervention Group (GMI) in charge of the cities of Bambey, Diourbel, Mbacké and Touba, as well as Commissioner Mamadou Diouf, head of the Communication and Public Relations Division of the National Police, accompanied by his collaborators, including Police Adjutant Fallou Ndong, moderator of the ceremony, Adjutant Abass Nokho and Police Adjutant Serigne Fallou Athie, serving in the Special Cybersecurity Division.

The event also brought together representatives from all the region's defense and security forces: firefighters, prison administration agents, gendarmes, customs officers, hygiene service agents, Proximity Security Assistants (ASP), badianou gox, parents of students and, of course, the high school students, the first beneficiaries of the initiative.

The raising of the colors, a founding act

The ceremony opened with a highly symbolic moment: the raising of the colors. A powerful gesture, conveying a message of national unity, which set the tone for the entire day. This republican ritual, central to the EDUPOLSEN program, aims to instill in students a respect for the symbols of the nation and the values of citizenship.

The headmaster's speech: welcoming the police with gratitude

It was Saïba Dembélé, principal of the LEG of Diourbel, who opened the series of speeches by welcoming the security forces on behalf of the entire educational community.

“It is an honor and a real pleasure to welcome you today to our institution for this day of exchange and awareness-raising. On behalf of the entire educational community, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the National Police. Your presence here testifies to your commitment, not only to the safety of our fellow citizens, but also to the protection and future of our youth,” he said.

The headmaster explained the dual objective of the meeting: to allow students to better understand their police force, too often reduced to its repressive role, and to raise their awareness of the dangers of drugs and cybercrime.

"Too often perceived solely from the perspective of punishment, the police are first and foremost an institution at the service of the citizen, guarantors of peace and your rights. Understanding its missions strengthens the bond of trust necessary for a harmonious life in society," he continued.

Saïba Dembélé concluded by praising the expertise of the agents present, which he described as "a chance for these young people to receive accurate information, far removed from preconceived ideas."

The voice of the students: commitment and hope

El Hadji Fallou Fall, president of the student government of LEG, spoke on behalf of his classmates with solemnity and maturity.

“Your presence among us at this flag-raising ceremony demonstrates the importance you place on education, youth, and civic values. We sincerely thank you for this,” he said.

The student representative enthusiastically welcomed the EDUPOLSEN initiative, stating that "respect for the law begins at school" and that the National Police were reminding young people that their mission is also "to protect our future, the future of the country."

Addressing his comrades directly, he issued a call for responsibility:

"Let us cultivate a spirit of effort, avoid behaviors contrary to the values of the school, and be models of responsibility and respect. Every student has the power to contribute positively to the success of our institution and our nation."

He concluded with a triple shout: "Long live our school! Long live Senegalese youth! And long live Senegal!"

Commissioner Diédhiou: Reversing the trend

The most anticipated speech was that of Chief Superintendent Younouss Diédhiou, Central Commissioner of Diourbel and Head of the Regional Public Security Service, who spoke on behalf of Inspector General of Police Mame Seydou Ndour, Director General of the National Police.

From the outset, he stated the facts frankly and humorously:

"Usually, when police officers and students or pupils meet, it's because the latter are on strike and are out disrupting classes or traffic. The former intervene to disperse them with tear gas."

But it is precisely this logic that EDUPOLSEN intends to overturn.

"With the new concept of community policing, the police authority has decided to reverse the trend by creating the conditions for ongoing dialogue with the public in general and schools in particular," he explained.

Commissioner Diédhiou detailed the program's two-pronged approach: bringing the police to the school, and the school to the police. He announced that police officers would share information with students on respecting national symbols, road safety, violence prevention, and the dangers of drugs in schools. He also opened the doors of the police station wide.

"Come see me in my office whenever you like. We'll discuss all the issues raised, including information about the police and the steps to take to obtain documents issued by our services."

On the underlying philosophy of the initiative, the commissioner was unambiguous:

"A police officer cannot consider his fellow citizen as an enemy. The moment a police officer considers a fellow citizen as an enemy, he ceases to be a police officer. The police officer must consider even the most serious offender as a fellow citizen who has temporarily gone astray."

He also conveyed the message from the Director General of the National Police to the teachers:

"You are the pillars of our education system, and without you this project could not exist. EDUPOLSEN is not a police initiative alone; it is a partnership between our institutions to train the citizens of tomorrow."

Commissioner Diédhiou finally shared a personal concern, calling on students to fight what he described as an invisible enemy: the excessive use of social media, and in particular TikTok, at the expense of reading.

“Together, we must fight this enemy that prevents us from sleeping soundly, from learning properly, that isolates us, impacts our health and makes us lazier. I am referring to digital social networks, especially TikTok. Instead, rediscover reading, this friend who is increasingly distant and yet is our main tool for our success and the acquisition of knowledge,” he told the young people.

He concluded by thanking the Ministry of National Education, the regional education inspector, and local authorities before declaring: "Long live Senegalese schools, long live the National Police, long live Senegal, honorably serving the law!"

The governor's representative: a historic paradigm shift

It was Djibril Diop, deputy governor of Diourbel in charge of development, who officially launched the program in the region, on behalf of the governor.

In an elaborate speech, he emphasized the historical significance of the initiative:

"Nowadays, the overall security of a nation is no longer limited to repressive responses or crisis management. It is sown, cultivated, and perpetuated in the minds of its citizens."

He welcomed the decision to make the school the laboratory for this new police doctrine:

“By inviting the police, not under the guise of coercion but under the banner of education and dialogue, we are breaking down the barriers of historical mistrust and replacing them with a culture of mutual trust.”

Djibril Diop also outlined the program's specific content: modules on road safety, addiction prevention, and large flag-raising ceremonies. Regarding the police academy, he mentioned guided tours of police stations to "demystify these institutions and transform them into open, civic-minded spaces" that could inspire young people to pursue careers in law enforcement.

"It is on this firm commitment and with immense hope for our youth that I officially declare the project launched in the Diourbel region," he concluded in front of the prefect of Diourbel, Abdoukhadr Diop.

After the speeches, it's time for awareness-raising.

Following the speeches, the authorities withdrew, making way for the National Police teams. A team of specialized officers then took over to lead awareness sessions for the students, particularly on road safety and cybersecurity, with the participation of Warrant Officer Serigne Fallou Athie, serving in the Special Cybersecurity Division.

The EDUPOLSEN program, whose launch in Diourbel is part of a national tour, aims to make the school the first line of defense against the scourges that threaten Senegalese youth, by permanently transforming the way students view their police and vice versa.